Your Sister’s (Record) Rack: Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
Today we have a great album to share: D&B Together, from Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. The husband-and-wife team of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett put out some great records in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They started out on Stax Records, and you can get an idea of what these two funky white folks had to sound like to record for the likes of Stax (home to Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, etc.).
Delaney Bramlett is one of the great rock bandleaders, perhaps underrated today but certainly not when he was in his prime. Bramlett not only had his fiercely soulful singin’ wife, but he recruited some of the greatest musicians to play backup on those Delaney & Bonnie albums. D&B Together, from 1972, is the duo’s sixth album and man, they don’t cut records like this any more.
First, the band: Delaney, on guitar and vocals; Bonnie, vocals; drums, Jim Gordon 
(Derek & the Dominos); bass, Kenny Gradney (Little Feat); keyboards, Billy Preston!; keyboards and vocals, Leon Friggin’ Russell!; more bass, Carl Radle (Derek & the Dominos); more drums, Jaimoe (Allman Brothers); more keyboards, Bobby Whitlock (Derek & the Dominos); and even more bass, James Jamerson (Motown)! Now the guitar players – Eric Clapton, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Dave Mason and Duane Friggin’ Allman! Nice, eh?
The album kicks off with Mason’s “Only You Know and I Know,” which was a hit for Delaney & Bonnie. Led by Bonnie’s soulful vocals (with backing vocals – oh I forgot those – by Merry Clayton, Rita Coolidge, Clydie King, Tina Turner and Eddie Kendricks, among others) the song establishes the easy rockin’ and intoxicating mash of soul, rock, blues and country that seemed to be so easy and unforced back in the early 1970s. “Wade In The River of Jordan” could have been a tambourine-shaker from any white or black country church, and Delaney’s “Well Well” is another tasty slab of rockin’ soul.
The guitar rocker “Comin’ Home,” co-written by Delaney with Eric Clapton, is the album’s highlight. Clapton’s guitar interplay with Allman on this song was also the blueprint for the Derek & the Dominos landmark (from 1970) and it’s cool to hear it goin’ full steam here. The other highlight worth mentioning is “Groupie,” a Bonnie/Leon Russell composition (which Delaney probably had a hand in too) that was later a big hit for the Carpenters. Rita Coolidge also sings a mighty nice version of this tune on Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen album (1970). “Move ‘Em Out” is a nice country rocker written by Steve Cropper, and “Country Life” is a nice showcase for Delaney’s great singing and a fitting closer to the original album.
Many of the tracks were cut originally for Atco/Atlantic and the singles from this album actually appeared on that label. But before the album’s release, Atlantic president Jerry Wexler learned Delaney and Bonnie were divorcing so he sold all of the tapes to CBS/Columbia. That label released D&B Together originally as a 12-song album, but in 2003 added six more tracks to the CD reissue. These were solo tracks cut in 1972-73 after Delaney and Bonnie broke up.
Bonnie Bramlett, of course, appeared on a number of solo albums and sang backup with many artists (including the Allman Brothers). Delaney Bramlett played with a number of great musicians up until his death in December 2008 – he was truly one of the greats. And so is D&B Together. This is one of my all-time favorites – every time I listen, it feels like … coming home.
(You can’t go wrong with any of Delaney and Bonnie’s albums, especially Motel Shot and On Tour With Eric Clapton, one of the greatest live albums ever made.)
YouTube: “Comin’ Home” for TV, with guest guitarists Eric Clapton and lonesome George Harrison
MP3: “Only You Know And I Know”
30 Days Out 
March 4, 2010 at 9:10 am
Just a side note. Delaney did have a BIG hand in writing “Superstar”.
If you look at the BMI catalog you will see his name there as writer along with Eric and Bonnie.
March 4, 2010 at 10:37 am
Oh yes, there is no doubt. I think you mean Bonnie and Leon … But can you tell us why Delaney isn’t credited in the liner notes?
March 11, 2010 at 3:18 pm
You know, I made a fairly comprehensive mix of songs that were frequently heard on KSAN-FM 95 back in 1971 for my blog and, for the life of me, I can’t understand how I forgot to include Delany and Bonnie!
Also forgot The Rolling Stones, but everyone takes them for granted.
March 12, 2010 at 4:17 pm
As to why he isn’t credited much of the time, it’s a long story.
Unfortunately I don’t dare put it out on the internet.
….but let’s just say this, Delaney was one of the best song writers/producers/ and musicians there was. Eric Clapton once said that while taking a limo drive with Delaney he is sure her probably wrote 5 songs. He changed the course of music with his mixture of rock, gospel and blues. Our talks we great, his stories made me laugh so hard. He was one of the most “real” and “gentle” people I had met. He mellowed greatly in his later years. It was an honor to be asked to work with him on his last CD in ’08.
Also remember it takes a certain type of person to successfully front a band and as history shows, Delaney drew the best to work with him.
Steve
March 12, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I don’t what I was thinking when I said Eric, you are right, LEON.
March 13, 2010 at 7:15 am
Thanks, Steve. Delaney Bramlett is certainly one of the great rock talents. His loss is felt every day.
April 7, 2010 at 7:54 pm
This is a very good read. I first met Delaney back in the early seventies I learned a lot from the man. His love for music touched the lives of many. He will be missed but his music will last forever.
April 16, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I interviewed Bonnie at one of the Jimmy Carter benefits in Jacksonville, Fla. She was an absolute hoot, deep in the bottle but quite nice. I think she found stardom pretty funny. When the “interview” was over she invited us to go up on the stage with her. She waltzed right up there, but the security guys manhandled us as we cried “Bonnie! Bonnie!” She gave a little wave but didn’t look back.
Met her again 20 years later at a party in L.A. She had it together and was as funny as ever. What a gal.
February 18, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I just wanted to thank you for this beautiful writeup. You really honored Dad and my Baba and I appreciate it so much.
I dont know if you are aware of the cause and movement my sisters and I, with a few Friends, have started. Here are a few links…come see what we are up to!
http://www.inductdelaneyandbonnie.com
http://www.matilijamagic.com/1969
http://www.poorelijahfoundation.org
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=247286568092
Again, Thank you for loving our parents.
Michele Bramlett